Wanting to clear out SPS's Secton 23 for some time, I finally got to it
this past week (10/13+/99). I intentionally waited until Fall to avoid
crowds, bugs, snow, high water and to enjoy the Fall colors. Several web
reports and beta from Rob Langsdorf was helpful, but I found the best
information from Richard Carey's archives which he had generously
provided. I also had the Yamagata guidebook, which was of some use.

Round Top; Caples Lake 7.5' : By far, from the top down, looking all
around, there is no easier way to the summit than from Woods Lake. It's a
virtual trail to the summit. Park at the picnic area near the lake, then
walk back through the campground towards its west side and the trailhead
that goes past the Lost Cabin Mine. Continue on good use trail southeast
of Round Top Lake towards the saddle between Round Top and The Sisters.
Once on the summit's crest, stay high and proceed east, dropping down
perhaps 50' on cruddy loose pebbly rock then across a gully and back up
into the short and easy section of class three to the summit. Ken Olson
and his (class three rock climbing) dog Buster joined me for the hike and
an hour on the summit. 2 hours up, 1.5 down, 5 miles RT, 2150' gain.

Mokelumne Peak; Bear River Res. and Mokelumne Peak 7.5' : The hike is
trivial compared to the drive in to the Tanglefoot TH. Maps didn't match
reports/guides or USFS road signs. I took carefull directions, mileages,
GPS "tracks" and UTMs on the drive out and will eventually post
(somewhere, perhaps in .pdf) the details. The hike is mostly on trail and
the (cross country portion) brush is not as bad as reports would have you
believe (or perhaps those authors don't know what "real" Southern
California brush is like :> ). Fortunately, the spring alongside the
trail was flowing and I took full advantage of the cool water. I left the
trail at UTM 750753E 4269207N staying about 300' below and south of
8626' and heading towards the saddle between there and the summit seemed
easiest. Be careful not to miss the trail on return from the summit, I
walked right over it before realizing I'd gone too far. I saw no one else
on the trail or at the trailhead. 3.2 hours up, 2.75 down, 13 miles RT,
3700' gain.

Stevens Peak; Carson Pass 7.5' : this isn't an SPS peak but I had an
extra day while waiting for my friend Brian Smith, we did Highland
together. Stevens is a straighforward hike/climb a couple of miles north
of Carson Pass and I took the simple class three route as noted in Pete's
guidebook. Later that day, I went to soak in Grover Hot Springs, just
west of Markleeville (email available at the local library in town). The
springs are $4 and are open from 2 to 9 PM.

Highland Peak; Ebbetts Pass 7.5' : Brian Smith drove up from LA to do
this peak with me. We took the Noble Canyon trail (per RLC's advice) and
this worked well. No need to drive west to Ebbetts Pass if coming from
Markleeville. The trailhead is 1.4 miles west of the Silver Creek
campground (3rd switchback), parking for perhaps four or five cars. Take
the trail south to the 7860' contour, then head east up the ridge to the
saddle, turn south and stay on the west side to avoid cliffs. It was a
clear, windy, cold and enjoyable day. 4 hours up, 3 down, 9 miles RT,
3650' gain.

Disaster Peak; Disaster Peak 7.5' : Again with Ken and Buster along, we
enjoyed another perfect-weather day. The standard ascent takes off from
the end of the Clark Fork Road, Disaster Creek trailhead. After hiking
2.5 miles north, you'll arrive at/near Allen's Camp. A faint/ducked trail
heads/starts southeast from here at UTM 259000E, 4259060N (thanks RLC and
I verified his UTM as accurate). The trail does clearly intersect the
main trail (at the aforementioned UTM) but is faint here and there,
especially since so many "belled" cattle graze in the area down low.
Higher up, it's easier to follow. We took this trail to where it
intersects the 8800' contour and then headed NE towards the summit
coming/curving at it from the east/southeast. On descent, we found a
higher trail that seemed plausible and despite Ken's cautioning, I
decided to take it. Well, about 0.5 miles later, it was heading too hard
north (going where we couldn't determine) and I/we aborted the choice and
recovered by going hard cross country west/southwest to rejoin
(eventually) the main trail. Not quite a "disaster" and I needed my
navigational skills tested anyway. 4 hours up, 3.5 down, 9 miles RT,
3600' gain.

Black Hawk; Emigrant Lake and Sonora Pass 7.5' : Being late season, I
obtained permission from the Kennedy Meadows' staff to park at the
Resort's lot. This saves about 0.5 miles (each way) from the hiker
parking area (where you can overnight camp). Just beyond the Resort, the
one mile dirt road to the wilderness boundary is gated. I later learned
from an "old timer" that the gate can be locked at any time and the lock
is controlled cooperatively by both the Resort and PG&E. So, one best
walk the extra one mile (each way) to avoid being locked in. Anyway, I
got an early start, 6:45 AM, in near darkness. I followed Steve Eckert's
report to the "sandy meadow at 8800' ". Past the wilderness boundary and
two bridges, there are two intersections to get to this point : one)
don't take the spur to that heads east to Kennedy Lake (instead hike past
the PG&E shack to the south) and two) turn east/left at the "T"
intersection to Saucer Meadow - the signs here are "broke" and are lying
on the ground as of this writing. Inspecting Steve's suggested route,
between snow slivers and uncertain terrain, I opted not to take "one of
the class two defects". Instead, I took RLC's advice and continued
another 0.5 mile or so past Sheep Camp towards UTM 263920E, 4233660N to
cross the creek and go south to the ridgeline. From here, an interesting
variety of slabs, boulders and "tunnels" head SW past two false summits
to the real summit (a black, rounded "bump" akin to what you'd expect to
find in the desert). I spent on hour on top admiring the rare views of
the area northwest of Yosemite NP. I saw no one all day along the trail,
nor did I see any airborn black hawks. 4.5 hours up, 3.6 down, 19 miles
(+/-) RT, 4000' gain

Stanislaus/Sonora : From Mary's Pass trailhead a mile or so west of
Sonora Pass, this good trail leads north to the base of crumbly
Stanislaus's summit block's SE/E side, rated high class two. On return, I
did Sonora (higher, better views, but a sloggier and much more popular
climb) from the MP trail. 5 hours round trip, 10 miles, 3500' gain.
Looking around from Stans' summit, I had to question how Disaster made
the SPS list. Other area peaks seem much more impressive or at least, not
quite so lame.

Finally, my passion, range highpoints : Ricky Mtn. Just west of
Bridgeport is the New Range. Don't ask me how the BGN stuck a range in
here, but, there it is on the 7.5' maps. Anyway, Ricky Mtn is a
controversial highpoint because the range bleeds into several nearby
ridges off the main Sierra. From the summit, aesthetics dictate it is a
viable range highpoint and it works for me. Even if not, the hike is a
good workout through beautiful pine and aspen forests. You can see the
peak due west of Bridgeport, it's got a distinctive "nipple" as its
summit.

It was a great week in the northern Sierra. Fall weather can be cold,
days a bit short, but it's an ideal time to stow the backpack and crank
out some good long dayhikes while enjoying the comforts of car camping.

Anyway, the SPS list is shelved for the season, now it's desert time!

Aaron Schuman wrote:

> Wanting to clear out SPS's Section 23 for some time,
> I finally got to it this past week

Too bad! You could have frolicked over that glorious
land, exalted in it, savored it, delighted in it,
fallen in love with it, communed with your creator
in it, rubbed its soil into your skin and washed
off in its lakes, seen it in a way it has never been
seen before. Instead, you cleared it out like a
cluttered basement.

Mitch Miller adds:

I have a pretty good feeling the reasons you state are the reasons Mark got
into this and stays in it. I, for one, haven't lost sight of my original
reasons for taking up peakbagging, which is much easier to say in a short
space and time than all I would really mean, and you state. It is a carrot
on a stick, and along the way we enjoy the journey, then talk about the game
like many would speak of other solo sports in which they keep score. But the
Sierra beats the hell out of any golf course. Mark didn't clear it out like
a cluttered basement, he cleared it out like sinuses. Aahhhhhhh....

Mark D Adrian replied:

Well, actually, "cleared" is a bit blunt. In reality, I suspect most
SPSers take several trips to do what I've done in a week. I "lived" there
for that time/week rather than bolting in and out. It's a matter of style
and I only took one "bath" so I figure I "rubbed its soil into my skin"
pretty well (let's not go there). I also enjoy the long sleeps at night
and tuning into the moon's cycle and "feeling" the days grow shorter.
Also, these peaks are great for soloing, especially Black Hawk since it's
so remote and the challenge is compelling. Part of peakbagging for me is
not only to experience the beauty of wilderness but to also accomplish
the goal of climbing a peak and returning safely under your own self (or
group) reliance. I think the intensity of these experiences is
individual. Some people prefer new peaks every outing (like me) while
others are content repeating peaks or lists indefinitely. In any event,
while it may seem to you (and others) like I simply run in and out,
there's more to it than that for me. I enjoy the scenery, the isolation,
the distancing from distractions and re-prioritization of life while I'm
in the mountains. Every time I return from a multi day trip I need to
reacclimate to "city" life. Time takes on a different pace when I return,
so the impact of climbing goes beyond just the act of completing a list.
The list is an objective that gives me structure and focus. I figure the
SPS list is (or should be) a comprehensive selection of the "better"
peaks in the Sierra, or is at least a starting point. RJ's book certainly
has many more peaks to offer than "the list". So, yes, perhaps my
"basement" is cluttered with peaks, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

Keep in mind that area 23 is a lot longer drive for me than for those in
the Bay Area. I consider it a good return on investment if I climb one
peak for every 100 miles I drive. I climbed nine new peaks and drove 1200
miles, so, not ideal, but it's close. We could get into the politics of
burning gas and polluting the air so we can get to the mountains. I try
to minimize that impact, but I don't pretend to be a saint. I've never
known any climber to stay at home because of self-imposed quotas. Anyway,
that's all off topic here anyway.